Rotating Mandrel Package Forming Machine for Liquid Food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for producing packages for liquid or pasty products, such as food items, face challenges in achieving efficient production with reduced machine dimensions, high flexibility to change package shapes, and ensuring optimal insulation and absence of empty spaces for extended shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A machine and method that utilize a rotating element with forming mandrels to fold and shape a single sheet of continuous film into a package with a prismatic shape, allowing for rapid production of packages with regular geometry, using a paper-based material for the film that includes a barrier layer for gas impermeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional folding machines with multiple mandrels are used, then package formation is achieved, but machine dimensions increase and production time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mandrels (first mandrel for tubular element formation, second mandrel for bottom formation) into a single integrated rotating element. This merging allows multiple package formation operations to occur simultaneously on different mandrels during one rotation cycle, reducing production time while keeping machine dimensions compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating element with multiple mandrels enables continuous package formation without interruption. While one mandrel is forming a tubular element, another is forming a bottom, and a third is sealing a package. This continuous multi-stage process eliminates idle time between operations and maintains constant production flow.
2Productivity
If multiple separate operations are used for package formation, then complete packages are produced, but production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating element enables all package formation operations (tubular element formation, bottom formation, sealing) to occur simultaneously and continuously during one rotation cycle. This eliminates sequential waiting time and maintains constant production speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating element is divided into multiple mandrels, each handling a specific operation (first mandrel for tubular element, second for bottom, third for sealing). This segmentation allows independent parallel execution of operations, increasing overall production speed without requiring complex coordination.
3Temperature
If paper-based material is used for packages, then insulation is improved, but sealing quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material consisting of paper-based material combined with a thermoplastic layer. The paper provides insulation while the thermoplastic layer enables reliable sealing through heat activation. This composite structure maintains the insulating properties of paper while adding sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing process utilizes parameter changes by applying heat and pressure to the thermoplastic layer of the composite material. The thermoplastic transitions from solid to molten state and then re-solidifies, creating a reliable seal on the paper-based package without compromising its insulating properties.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method for making openable packages for a food product in liquid or pasty form comprising the steps of: feeding a continuous film (1); cutting the continuous film (1) to form a plurality of single sheets (2) and forming on each single sheet (2) crease lines designed to define fold lines for forming a container; preparing an element (3) rotating about an axis (3X) of rotation and equipped with a plurality of forming mandrels along its circumference; coupling the single sheet (2) to a forming mandrel (4) in a first predetermined angular position of rotation of the forming mandrel (4); folding the single sheet (2) around the forming mandrel (4) using folding devices (5-8) configured to wrap the single sheet (2) on the forming mandrel (4), folding it along the crease lines, in such a way as to create a bottom (2f) and front walls (2a, 2B) and side walls (2c, 2d) when the sheet is coupled with the forming mandrel (4); performing a partial sealing of the single sheet (2) folded on the forming mandrel (4), in such a way as to obtain a container open only on an end side, positioned opposite the closed bottom (2f), with an opening (2e) for access to an inner cavity; transferring the open and partly sealed container from the forming mandrel (4) to a conveyor device (9); filling with the food product the cavity of the open container through the access opening (2e), and, upon completion the filling, completely closing the container by final sealing of the access opening (2e), in such a way as to make a sealed openable container.